Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025 Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025

Split views over free speech policy

An anti-co-governance rally that never occurred in Taupō in 2023 had its delayed repercussions at last week’s full meeting of the Taupō District Council.

Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025 Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025

Taonga weaved from ancestral wisdom

Taupō Museum is set to unveil Punarua, possibly the largest piupiu ever created, in its Aotearoa debut following a standout international premiere at the prestigious 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025 Dan Hutchinson 05/06/2025

A hydration celebration

Timaru District Council's Seadown water supply has been crowned the best tasting tap water in New Zealand in the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition.

Dan Hutchinson 29/05/2025 Dan Hutchinson 29/05/2025

Boom Boom blows up in a media frenzy

Supposedly any publicity is good publicity.

Dan Hutchinson 16/05/2025 Dan Hutchinson 16/05/2025

Artist shares Boom Boom’s background

It’s been a seven-year journey to get Riverside Park’s sculpture trail underway, but it started with a Boom Boom this week.

Dan Hutchinson 14/05/2025 Dan Hutchinson 14/05/2025

Rubble, rubble, toil and trouble

Taupō District Council is looking for a contractor to get rid of piles of asbestos-contaminated crushed concrete at a landfill.

Dan Hutchinson 08/05/2025 Dan Hutchinson 08/05/2025

Rates to rise more than 8%

Taupō District Council has confirmed a draft average rate increase of 8.4% for the 2025/26 year to be confirmed following consultation in Jun

Dan Hutchinson 01/05/2025 Dan Hutchinson 01/05/2025

Council favours in-house water management

The Taupō District Council favours keeping the management of its water services in house but will consult on three options.

Dan Hutchinson 17/04/2025 Dan Hutchinson 17/04/2025

Time to step away

Long-serving Taupō District councillor John Williamson is not seeking re-election in this year’s local elections. Chris Marshall talks to him about being a councillor, council achievements and challenges ahead.

Kim Manunui 02/04/2025 Kim Manunui 02/04/2025

Unlucky tree gets the chop

A protected oak tree in Tūrangi has been recommended for removal after it was accidentally over-pruned last year. The large red oak in Taupahi Road was severely pruned instead of just having two overhanging branches trimmed as requested.

Dan Hutchinson 27/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 27/03/2025

Hot stream mysteriously turns green

Taupō’s popular, thermally-heated Otumuheke Stream mysteriously turned green on Friday last week.

Dan Hutchinson 25/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 25/03/2025

Apologies after ‘precious’ trees accidentally felled

A contractor who accidentally removed 16 popular poplar trees on Kinloch Rd has apologised and says they will replace them with the largest specimens they can find.

Dan Hutchinson 12/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 12/03/2025

Telling the story of He Whare Hono

The carvings within the He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa are a celebration of Tūwharetoa’s cultural identity.

Dan Hutchinson 09/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 09/03/2025

Big day out for emergency services

Emergency Services Day returned to Taupō this weekend.

Dan Hutchinson 07/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 07/03/2025

Councillor resigns after admitting drink driving charge

Councillor Anna Park has resigned from her position.

Dan Hutchinson 06/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 06/03/2025

What’s on in Taupō and Tūrangi

Here’s a few events on in the district over the next week or two.

Dan Hutchinson 06/03/2025 Dan Hutchinson 06/03/2025

Groups compete for council funds

“(It’s) heartening that there are so many organisations doing amazing work across a broad spectrum… and disheartening because I wish we had more money that we could put towards supporting them.”